Declutter Now! 30 Day DevotionalSample

Be the Lead-er, Not the Lead-ee

The conundrum. How do we meet and minister to the broken if we are told to surround ourselves with healthy, positive people? Seems a bit contradictory, doesn’t it?

Our response is to strategically place yourself into situations where you can be a light while maintaining a low calculated risk of temptation.

Logically, those best equipped to speak to a struggle are those who have walked through, survived, and thrived beyond the same challenge. In order to put your experience and wisdom to good use, you must make thoughtful choices and put safeguards in place so you can minister effectively while setting both you and the recipient up for the best chance of success.

Let’s say, for example, you’re a recovering alcoholic and have a friend struggling with the same addiction. You look for opportunities to speak truth into their life, but aside from meeting them at the local bar, there doesn’t seem to be much chance for your paths to cross. Even if your intentions are honorable, a bar isn’t the best environment - for either of you. It may take an extra effort to meet with them, but removing obvious opportunities for Satan to trip you up will help ensure you remain the ‘lead-er’ and avoid slipping to the ‘lead-ee’.

We have to go into the world but we aren’t called to be part of it. Sometimes God calls us to step out of our comfort zone for the sake of his kingdom, and sometimes he calls us to take a step back. At times the lines may seem vague, but pray to him for his guidance and direction.

What will you declutter? Increased risk of succumbing to temptation and compromising your witness, and a paralyzing inability to minister to those who desperately need the benefit of your experience and care.